Islamic Information

Ashura Day (10th Muharram)

The Day of Great Signs of Allah’s Power and Glory

By Allama Muhammad Shahid Raza (M.A)

Head Imam, The Islamic Centre, Leicester

Ashura day is the 10th day or Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar). Since the beginning of this world, Ashura day has been a very important day. On this day great signs of Allah’s power and glory have appeared in the world. On this day many Prophets were born and they were instituted to the office of prophecy. On this day, Prophets, Saints and Sincere servants of Allah were blessed with miracles and spiritual powers.

On Ashura Day the following have taken place:

1. Repentance of Prophet Adam (Allah’s blessing be upon him) was accepted by Allah

2. The ship of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (Allah’s blessing be upon him) came to rest on a mountain called Al-Judi.

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was born on this day.

4. He got the title Khalil-ullah (friend of Allah) on this day.

5. The fire in which Prophet Ibrahim (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was thrown by the king Namrud become cool and means of safety for Prophet Ibrahim, by the order of Allah.

6. Allah delivered Prophet Ayub (Job) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) from distress and he was restored to prosperity.

7. By the Grace of Allah, Prophet Yunas (Jonah) (Allah’s blessings be upon him), after being swallowed by a huge fish (whale) for forty days, was casted out on the shore.

9. Prophet Suleman (Solomon) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was made a king to rule over mankind, Jins, Animals and the air.

10. Prophet Idris (Enoch) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) and Prophet Issa (Jesus) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) were lifted up alive.

11. Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of our beloved Prophet, got martyred at Karbala in Iraq.

12. The day of resurrection and judgement will take place on this day (Ashura)

(Ghunia-Al-Talibeen & Tafseer-e-Sawi)

Things to do on Ashura Day

It is Mustahab (desirable) to practice the following on Ashura day:

To give to charity

To offer Naf’l (optional) prayers

To read SurahIklas 1000 times

To visit rightful Ullamas (Islamic Scholars)

To take a bath

To be kind to orphans

To provide food generously to family members

To apply Surmah (Collyrium) to the eyes

To cut nails

To visit the sick

To Invoke blessings (Dua)

To commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him)

(Fazial Al-ShahoorWalAyyam)

Prayers for Ashura Day

1. Perform 2 rakaatsNaf’l prayer, after having a bath. In each rakaat recite SurahFatiha once, SurahIklas 10 times. On completion of the prayer recite Ayaat-ul-kursi once and DaroodIbrahim 9 times followed by the Ashura Day dua.

2. Perform 6 rakaatsNaf’l prayer.

In each rakaat recite the following once:

SurahFatiha

SurahWa-Shams

SurahQadr

SurahZulzilah

SurahIklas

SurahFalaq

SurahNa’as

On completion of this prayer read surah Al-Kafiroon once in Sajdah and then invoke the blessings of Allah. It has been written in Ghuniya-Al-Talibeen that after performing this prayer whatever good is asked for Allah is granted.

3. Perform four rekaatsNaf’l prayer

In each rekaat recite SurahFatiha once and SurahIklas 50 times. Allah will forgive 50 years of sins and a palace will be prepared in paradise.(RahatulKulub)

To Hold Meetings on Ashura Day

Holding of religious meetings during the first 10 days of Muharram, specially on Ashura day, is lawful (Ja’iz) and it caries a lot of reward.In these meetings, speeches are made about the heroic deeds and virtues of the martyrs of Karbala. These meetings crease a sense of stability, peace and endurance in the hearts and minds of Muslims. On such occasions speeches should also include stories form the lives of Khulfa-e-rashedean (Rightful Caliphs) and other As-haabs (companions).

Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab

Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab is a way of sending rewards of good deeds to the souls of our beloved Muslim realtives, friends, scholars, Saints and Prophets who are no longer with us. Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab is lawful (Ja’iz) and strictly in accordance with the tenets of Islam. Some people, due to their ignorance, consider Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab as Haraam and Bida’at, but they are not right.On Ashura day, Muslims make Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab for the souls of Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him) and other martyrs of Karbala. For this purpose Muslims prepare sweet dishes, cold drinks (sharbat), fruit etc, and distribute these among relatives, friends and the poor.

Fasting on Ashura Day

Fasting on Ashura day carries a great reward. It is better to fast both 9th and 10th of Muharram. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) has said that this is the most rewarding fast next to Ramadhan.Our beloved Prophet has also said that fasting on Ashura day will compensate for one year’s sin.

(TirmidhiSharif)

It is said that when Prophet Nuh (Allah’s blessings be upon him) landed safely on mount Judi, after the flood, he along with others, including birds and animals, observed a fast on Ashura day to thank Allah

(Tafsir-e-Sawi)

HazratHafsah (Allah be pleased with her) is reported to have said that our beloved Prophet practised the following four things without fail:

1. Fasting on Ashura day

2. Fasting during the first nine days of Zil-Hajj

3. Fasting for 3 days in every month (13th, 14th and 15th of each Islamic month)

4. Two rakaatsunnah prayer of Fajr.

(NasaiSharif)

HazratIbneUmar (Allah be pleased with him) has reported that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that fasting on Ashura day is equivalent to the reward of fasting for one year.

(Ma SsbataBis-Sunnah)

Inthe light of the above references all Muslims should observe fast on Ashura day.